[The way of Allah with those who have passed on before] means: those who manifested polytheism previously, and this is when the prophets were commanded to fight.
Muhammad said: [The way of Allah (Sunnata Allah)] is an infinitive (masdar); the meaning is: Allah has ordained (sanna) a way.
Surat al-Ahzab from (verse 63 to verse 68).
﴿سُنَّةَ اللَّهِ فِي الَّذِينَ خَلَوْا من قبل﴾ أَي: من أظهر الشّرك قَبْلُ، وَهَذَا إِذَا أُمِرَ النَّبِيُّونَ بِالْجِهَادِ.
قَالَ مُحَمَّدٌ: ﴿سُنَّةَ اللَّهِ﴾ مَصْدَرٌ؛ الْمَعْنَى: (سَنَّ) اللَّهُ سُنَّةً.
سُورَة الْأَحْزَاب من (آيَة ٦٣ آيَة ٦٨).
